p21-Activated kinase 1 coordinates aberrant cell survival and pericellular proteolysis in a three-dimensional culture model for premalignant progression of human breast cancer.

Abstract

Overexpression of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) occurs during the progression of human breast cancer. We have investigated the role of PAK1 in the premalignant progression of the MCF10 series of human breast epithelial cell lines. Levels of PAK1 expression and activation increased with premalignant progression, and expression of dominant-negative (DN) PAK1 reduced both cell proliferation and migration/invasion. In three-dimensional (3D) overlay cultures in reconstituted basement membrane, the MCF10 series produced an in vitro model for premalignant progression. MCF10AneoT cells formed a hyperplastic morphology in which some spheroids developed abnormal lumens. The MCF10.AT1 line exhibited an atypical hyperplastic morphology of abnormal spheroid clusters that did not form lumens. The MCF10.DCIS cells exhibited dysplastic growth. Expression of DN-PAK1 promoted lumen formation in 3D-cultured MCF10A, NeoT, and AT1 structures, suggesting partial reversion of the premalignant phenotype, but did not affect the atypical budding of AT1 structures or the dysplastic growth of ductal carcinoma in situ structures. Aberrant proteolysis is another important characteristic of breast cancer progression and invasion. DN-PAK1 or knock-down of PAK1 reduced pericellular proteolysis of DQ-collagen IV in the 3D cultures. Treatment of cells with an inhibitor of Rac1 also reduced pericellular proteolysis, and this reduction was reversed by the expression of activated PAK1. Our conclusion is that overexpressed and activated PAK1 may be a key coordinator of aberrant cell survival and proteolysis in breast cancer progression.

• Authors: Quanwen Li, Stefanie Roshy Mullins, Bonnie F Sloane, Raymond R Mattingly
• Journal: Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) (Neoplasia) Vol. 10 Issue 4 Pg. 314-29 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 1476-5586 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18392133 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Collagen Type IV
• Protease Inhibitors
• PAK1 protein, human
• p21-Activated Kinases
• Peptide Hydrolases

Topics

• Blotting, Western
• Breast Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating (enzymology, pathology)
• Cell Movement
• Cell Proliferation
• Cell Survival (physiology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Collagen Type IV (metabolism)
• Disease Progression
• Epithelial Cells (enzymology, pathology)
• Extracellular Matrix (metabolism)
• Female
• Genes, Dominant
• Humans
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional
• Models, Biological
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Peptide Hydrolases (metabolism)
• Phosphorylation
• Precancerous Conditions (enzymology, pathology)
• Protease Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Protein Processing, Post-Translational
• p21-Activated Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, metabolism)